Call it a choice between "Black Panther" and blackouts in the rollout of super-fast 5G internet technology. America's tech titans are lined up against electric utilities in a noisy fight for control of wireless spectrum power companies say is critical for communications if a natural disaster darkens a city or hackers breach the grid.

Obama-era EPA chief Gina McCarthy and former Secretary of State John Kerry are among those throwing their weight behind part of an appeal by two California cities seeking to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate change impacts.

A scientist who is being considered to lead the Trump administration's review of climate science is also a former researcher for the oil giant BP PLC and an adviser to a private company developing nuclear fusion.